Wednesday we had the privilege of taking a day trip to the Golan with some other volunteers at the Fauzi. We rented a car for five and five of us piled in. Philip was our fearless driver. Along the way we visited a resort town in the hills, a few border towns, an ancient castle, Caesarea Philippi, waterfalls, Mt. Hermon, a friend of ours who is volunteering in the Golan, an old Syrian outpost and ruins from Herod Agrippa's palace.
At the border town, Metulla, looking into Lebanon.
We visited some amazing waterfalls at Banias. The water gushes clear from the mountains. It made me homesick. The green smell of water, rock, and hikes into shady gullies.
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| Caesarea Philippi. We didn't realize that we were at such a historic place until we stood in front of a sign at the sight with our other Christian friend. We all realized it at the same time. So much to take in: the wickedness of this city, Jesus saying he would build the church on this rock, and the gates of hell. We saw the large cave entrance that was said to be the gates of hell. |
Before the 'gates of hell' was this modern day addition. This concrete 'stamp' can be rolled around in the sand and it prints the verse about how the gates of hell will no prevail.
Across the street from the cave and springs, we found the ruins of Herod Agrippa's palace and probably many other ruins as well. This tunnel went right under the road and channeled spring water to the palace.
On top of a mountain stands Nimrod's Castle. A very cool exploring opportunity.
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| A lion motif... |
...and Philip's interpretation.
Our friend Ben
Syria - from an outpost where a visitor can enjoy a cup of coffee and watch the sun set after running around the trenches and bunkers. Child's play.
Supper at a Druze restaurant on the very border of Syria. As a random acquaintance drove us nearly out of the town, the view of the right became darker and darker. The restaurant was across the street from border lights. In fact, the spot across from the restaurant was called 'the shouting hill' because before the days of internet people in the town would shout across to their family and friends living on the other side of the border. Great lamb kebabs and hummus and a Druze bread, very thin, like philo but made with whole wheat flour and corn meal.
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| May we know our home is not of this world. There is too much conflict here. |
Before the 'gates of hell' was this modern day addition. This concrete 'stamp' can be rolled around in the sand and it prints the verse about how the gates of hell will no prevail.
Across the street from the cave and springs, we found the ruins of Herod Agrippa's palace and probably many other ruins as well. This tunnel went right under the road and channeled spring water to the palace.
On top of a mountain stands Nimrod's Castle. A very cool exploring opportunity.
Supper at a Druze restaurant on the very border of Syria. As a random acquaintance drove us nearly out of the town, the view of the right became darker and darker. The restaurant was across the street from border lights. In fact, the spot across from the restaurant was called 'the shouting hill' because before the days of internet people in the town would shout across to their family and friends living on the other side of the border. Great lamb kebabs and hummus and a Druze bread, very thin, like philo but made with whole wheat flour and corn meal. 
4 comments:
Great posts - y'all just keep it rollin'!! Oh, by the way, I think your interpretation of the lion is a little off - those are actually human toes coming out of the mouth and not teeth. just a little interpretation of my own... love you!! also liked the sign to D.C. - hilarious
I like the pics! I recognized most of the places...you might inspire me to come for a visit after all :) Love.
Mere
P and B- I was SO UPSET to discover today that my feed for your blog has not updated for the last month and I missed a TON of your entries!(I thought you hadn't blogged in ages!). Anyway, sorry for being absentee. I really enjoyed these photos of your trip and am happy to be more caught up. B- you look extra pretty in these! love you! Candice
"Danger Abyss" I love those signs! My favorite one is a graphic depiction of a warning not to stand too close to the edge of a cliff. Ha! love you guys! (I also don't get updated feeds from your blog . . .just have to check in regularly)
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